no operating system

bestyman

Please help,
Sony VAIO on win7
Error message no operating system found,
I look in bios and no HDD

I have a HDD from a smashed up old laptop and it detects this , but blue screen then launches recovery options.

Questions
Is my HDD beyond repair ' can I get files from it

How do I get the HDD from the smashed laptop to work . I can get to c prompt.
Do I need to format and install windows 7. If so will any windows 7 work

Thanks

closed

original hard disk may have had it, recovery costs 100's if so, you may possibly be able to get at some data using recuva in a disk caddy, but it's unlikely if the bios can't see it.

you should install W7 from either the disc supplied or created manually

backup with this in future http://www.macrium.com/reflectfree.aspx, it makes things much easier in this situation.

zaax

If you don't want fork out your hard earned cash for another windows disk there is always Ubuntu

henm2

Other good operating systems to try LXLE 12.04.3 or Linux Mint 15 Cinnamon edition

NiftyDigits

bestyman wrote: »

Please help,
Sony VAIO on win7
Error message no operating system found,
I look in bios and no HDD

I have a HDD from a smashed up old laptop and it detects this , but blue screen then launches recovery options.

Questions
Is my HDD beyond repair ' can I get files from it

How do I get the HDD from the smashed laptop to work . I can get to c prompt.
Do I need to format and install windows 7. If so will any windows 7 work

Thanks

You just need a Sony Windows 7 recovery disc to install Windows 7 on the new HDD. I'll get that to you.
32bit or 64bit?

Full model number of laptop?

You can try with a £3 caddy for the damaged HDD to see if you can get something off it. Here: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-5-SATA-to-USB-HARD-DRIVE-CADDY-HDD-CASE-ENCLOSURE-/290783710303

bestyman

NiftyDigits wrote: »

You just need a Sony Windows 7 recovery disc to install Windows 7 on the new HDD. I'll get that to you.
32bit or 64bit?

Full model number of laptop?

You can try with a £3 caddy for the damaged HDD to see if you can get something off it. Here: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-5-SATA-to-USB-HARD-DRIVE-CADDY-HDD-CASE-ENCLOSURE-/290783710303

Thanks.
VAIO vpccb 3p1e. 64 bit


Could I download a win 7 recovery disc?

Also, do you think switching PCBs on HDD is worth a try?

NiftyDigits

bestyman wrote: »

Thanks.
VAIO vpccb 3p1e. 64 bit


Could I download a win 7 recovery disc?

Also, do you think switching PCBs on HDD is worth a try?

You can download a Windows 7 disc. I'll point you towards the other components.

en_windows_7_home_premium_with_sp1_x64_dvd_u_676549.iso

or

en_windows_7_professional_with_sp1_x64_dvd_u_676939.iso

Do you have a machine with which to create bootable media?

Once created, install from boot and format the HDD, but don't enter the Product Key.

To install Windows 7 using the Custom option and formatting the hard disk

To format your hard disk during Windows 7 installation, you'll need to start, or boot, your computer using the Windows 7 installation disc or USB flash drive.


Turn on your computer so that Windows starts normally, insert the Windows 7 installation disc or USB flash drive, and then shut down your computer.


Restart your computer.


Press any key when prompted, and then follow the instructions that appear.


On the Install Windows page, enter your language and other preferences, and then click Next.

If the Install Windows page doesn't appear, and you're not asked to press any key, you might need to change some system settings. To learn how to do this, see Start your computer from a Windows 7 installation disc or USB flash drive.


On the Please read the license terms page, if you accept the license terms, click I accept the license terms, and then click Next.


On the Which type of installation do you want? page, click Custom.


On the Where do you want to install Windows? page, click Drive options (advanced).


Click the partition that you want to change, click the formatting option you want to perform, and then follow the instructions.


When you've finished formatting, click Next.


Follow the instructions to finish installing Windows 7, which include naming your computer and setting up an initial user account.

NiftyDigits

Drivers here

Ratboy

Maybe just press f5/f8 on boot, run the Win CD, type in chkdsk/r or /f I forget, but that fixed it.

Check what caused the blue screen however, put a halt on the blue screen, then put the error code into google. Mine was a MBR data fault.

NiftyDigits

It's not an old machine. Don't SONY have a two year warranty on certain laptops?

Purdybread

never mind, didnt read first post properly. DOH!